In the News

Fish Talk in the News – Friday, December 22

Atlantic longfin squid like these gather every summer to spawn in the waters off Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. Image via NEFSC/NOAA.

The Boston Globe recently published an editorial about Carlos Rafael and the impact that his illegal fishing activities had on other fishermen in the region. Maine fisherman Randy Cushman told the Globe that Rafael’s permits should be distributed throughout the fishery and not only in New Bedford. There is also regional support for banning Rafael from the fishery and using his fines to implement electronic monitoring. Massachusetts politicians have been vocal on the issues, but the Globe staff says, “Warren, Baker, and the rest of the state’s leaders aren’t doing the industry any long-term favors.” Read more here.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted against establishing a summer buffer zone south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket to protect inshore squid populations. The buffer was part of a framework action following the recently-approved Squid Amendment. There was public concern about inshore squid, especially juvenile squids and eggs, being caught as bycatch from May to August. A Council statement said, “Allowing time for [the Squid Amendment] to be fully implemented will enable the Council to evaluate the need for buffers or other management measures more effectively in the future.”

State police divers recovered the bodies of the two missing crewmen from the Misty Blue, 44-year-old Eric Arabian and 22-year-old Colby McmUllen, this week. The clamming vessel sank off Nantucket at the beginning of December. Two other crew were rescued.

The U.S. Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) goes into effect January 1, 2018. The National Marine Fisheries Service, however, has said that it will take an “informed compliance” approach to its implementation, allowing leniency to shipments that may not have the required information. SIMP regulations are intended “to prevent illegally caught or counterfeit seafood from entering the American market by requiring companies to track their products from the time they were harvest[ed] to the time they reach U.S. ports,” reports Seafoodsource.com.